Activity budget of a group of black-horned capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in an urban environment / Orçamento de atividades de um grupo de macacos-prego-pretos (Sapajus nigritus) em ambiente urbano

Urban growth and human impacts on the environment have forced animals to adjust to habitat fragmentation and reduced home ranges. Capuchin monkeys are known for their great social and behavioral flexibility, occupying even highly urbanized environments in a way that the time budget of this primate in synanthropic situation may be affected by the area they inhabit. This study aims to analyze the activity budget of a group of Sapajus nigritus living in an anthropized area, 1) comparing the behavioral frequencies in urbanized areas and forest fragments; 2) comparing behavioral frequencies in different sex-age classes. During the study, the number of individuals ranged from 35 to 40 individuals identified based on sex-age classes. Behavioral data were collected using the instantaneous scan sampling method, for two minutes with eight-minute intervals. We obtained 319 scans over 28 days, distributed between November 2021 and June 2022, with eight hours per day. We compared the behaviors different areas and between sex-age classes using the Kruskal-Wallis's test. Overall, the group performed a higher frequency of traveling (21.22%), followed by foraging (18.07%), feeding (16.57%) and vigilance (15.61%). The frequency of behaviors varied between areas, with vigilance, social, resting, interaction with humans and self-activity more frequent in urbanized areas compared to forest fragments. We also found variation between the sex-age classes, primarily with juveniles foraging more and adults performing more vigilance. The differences in the behaviors performed by the group express the behavioral flexibility of S. nigritus, adapting its activity pattern according to the area occupied.

O crescimento urbano e os impactos humanos no ambiente forçaram os animais a se adaptarem à fragmentação de hábitat e à redução da área de vida. Os macacos-prego são conhecidos por sua flexibilidade social e comportamental, ocupando até mesmo ambientes altamente urbanizados, sendo que seu padrão de atividades pode ser afetado pela área que habitam. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o padrão de atividades de um grupo de Sapajus nigritus vivendo em área antropizada, com base em: 1) comparação das frequências comportamentais em áreas urbanizadas e fragmentos florestais; e 2) comparação das frequências comportamentais em diferentes classes sexo-etárias. Durante o estudo, o número de indivíduos variou entre 35 e 40 indivíduos, identificados a partir de classes sexo-etárias. Os dados comportamentais foram coletados pelo método scan sampling, durante dois minutos com intervalo de oito minutos. Foram obtidos 319 scans ao longo de 28 dias (entre novembro de 2021 e junho de 2022), por oito horas diárias. Comparamos os comportamentos em diferentes áreas e entre classes sexo-etárias através do teste de Kruskal-Wallis. Em geral, o grupo apresentou frequência maior de deslocamento (21,22%), seguido de forrageio (18,07%), alimentação (16,57%) e vigilância (15,61%). A frequência dos comportamentos variou entre áreas (vigilância, social, descanso, interação com humanos e autoatividade foram mais frequentes em áreas urbanizadas) e classes sexo--etárias (principalmente com os juvenis forrageando mais e os adultos realizando mais vigilância). As diferenças nos comportamentos realizados pelo grupo expressam a flexibilidade comportamental de S. nigritus, adaptando seu padrão de atividade conforme a área ocupada.

Las funciones ejecutivas y el ajedrez: una revisión sistemática / Executive functions and chess: a systematic review

Resumen Objetivo: Determinar el efecto de la formación en ajedrez sobre las funciones ejecutivas: planificación, flexibilidad cognitiva, memoria de trabajo e inhibición por medio de la revisión de la literatura científica de investigaciones en la última década. Método: Se desarrolló una búsqueda en las bases de datos Web of Science, Scielo, Pubmed, Scopus y en Google académico, para el período 2012-2022, mediante la metodología de revisión sistemática. Resultados: Se encontraron sesenta y seis artículos y solo se analizaron trece que cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Fue posible identificar relaciones del ajedrez con las cuatro funciones ejecutivas: inhibición, flexibilidad, memoria de trabajo y planificación, además del funcionamiento ejecutivo en general. Discusión: Los resultados han sugerido que la práctica sistemática del ajedrez contribuye al desarrollo del funcionamiento ejecutivo. Por ser una práctica de fácil alcance, se podría aprovechar sus beneficios incorporándola en diversos escenarios educativos. Conclusión: La mayoría de las investigaciones de los últimos diez años provee evidencia que permite demostrar la hipótesis de que la práctica del ajedrez se asocia un mejor desempeño ejecutivo; también se encontró un único artículo que por el contrario rechaza esta relación.

Abstract Objective: Determine the effect of chess training on executive functions: planning, cognitive flexibility, working memory and inhibition by reviewing the scientific research literature in the last decade. Method: A search was carried out in the Web of Science, Scielo, Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases for the period 2012-2022, using the systematic review methodology. Results: Sixty-six articles were found and only thirteen that met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. It was possible to identify relationships between chess and the four executive functions: inhibition, flexibility, working memory and planning, in addition to executive functioning in general. Discussion: The results have suggested that the systematic practice of chess contributes to the development of executive functioning. Because it is an easily accessible practice, its benefits could be taken advantage of by incorporating it into various educational scenarios. Conclusion: The majority of research from the last ten years provides evidence that allows us to demonstrate the hypothesis that chess practice is associated with better executive performance; there is also a single article that, on the contrary, rejects this relationship.

Physical Exercise and Executive Function in the Pediatric Overweight and Obesity Population: A Systematic Review Protocol.

BACKGROUND: Executive function is often altered in overweight/obese children and adolescents, which has a negative impact on their learning and daily life. Furthermore, research has shown the benefits of physical exercise in improving cognitive performance. This protocol aims to define in a detailed and structured manner the procedures that will be conducted for the development of a systematic review of the literature aimed at evaluating the effects of physical exercise on the executive functions of children and adolescents (≤18 years) with overweight/obesity in comparison with peers in control groups. METHODS: The Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO databases will be searched for longitudinal studies that have at least one experimental and one control group using pre- and post-intervention measures of executive function, including working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility in the pediatric population who are overweight or obese. The risk of bias and certainty of evidence will be assessed using Cochrane RoB2 and GRADE, respectively. Furthermore, Der Simonian-Laird's random effects model will be employed for meta-analyses. The effect sizes will be calculated with 95% confidence intervals, and p values < 0.05 indicate statistical significance for each dimension of executive function in the different groups before and after the intervention. DISCUSSION: The results of this review may be useful for education and health professionals to design treatment plans for overweight/obese children and adolescents, offering potential benefits related to the learning and cognitive abilities of this population. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023391420.

Biodegradable starch foams reinforced by food-chain side streams.

Biodegradable starch foam trays offer an eco-friendly substitute for petroleum-based single-use packaging, notably polystyrene foams. However, they lack flexibility, tensile strength, and water-sensitivity, addressable through lignocellulosic reinforcement. This study aimed to develop biodegradable starch foam trays filled with different food-chain side streams for sustainable alternative packaging. Corncob, soybean straw, cassava peel, araucaria seed hull, yerba mate stalks and yerba mate leaves petiole were collected, dried and ground to <250 µm. The trays were filled with 13 % (w/w) of each food-chain side streams and produced by hot molding. The trays morphology, moisture, water activity (aw), thickness, bulk density, tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus, bending strength, maximum deflection, and sorption isotherms were investigated. Reinforcements slightly increased the foams bulk density, reduced the tensile strength and maximum deflection and while bending strength increased from 0.20 MPa to 1.17-1.80 MPa. The elasticity modulus decreased by adding any filling, that resulted in ductility improvement; however, these packaging have moisture-sensitive material especially for aw higher than 0.52, which drives the use recommendation for dry products storage or shipping/transport. The biodegradable starch foam trays filled with side streams were successfully produced and offer excellent alternative to petroleum-based packaging low-density material with bending strength improved.

Acute effects of a pilates method session on flexibility and performance in practitioners of an extreme conditioning program: A preliminary study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of Pilates exercises on flexibility and performance in practitioners of an extreme conditioning program (ECP). The hypothesis adopted was that Pilates could activate deeper muscles and improve the stability of core muscles. METHODS: This was an observational cross-sectional study with individuals practicing an ECP submitted to a Pilates method (PM) exercise session. The Wells bench test was used to assess flexibility, while performance was evaluated using the Wall Ball exercise commonly performed by ECP practitioners. The perception of effort was measured using the Borg scale. RESULTS: A single session of PM exercises was able to significantly improve flexibility immediately after the exercises (p < 0.001) and performance in one of the movements of the ECP (p < 0.001), as well as decrease the perception of effort. CONCLUSION: An acute intervention with Pilates exercises promoted improvement in performance of the CrossFit Wall Ball exercise.

Psychological inflexibility as a predictor associated with insomnia.

Psychological flexibility has recently attracted the attention of researchers in the field of sleep disorders; therefore, in the study, psychological flexibility was evaluated as a predictor or factor related to the presence/severity of insomnia. We included 2218 individuals selected from the randomized-control trial for behavioural therapy for insomnia and cross-sectional studies, including 1797 individuals with insomnia and 421 controls without insomnia. All participants completed the DSM-5-based insomnia diagnosis interview, Insomnia Severity Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and Acceptance Action Questionnaire-II. Linear regression and multinomial logistic regression models were used. Sex, education, occupation, marital status, anxiety, depression and psychological inflexibility were possible predictors or factors associated with the severity of insomnia. Multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrated that sex (𝛽 = 0.88; t = 2.80; p = 0.005), depression (𝛽 = 0.41; t = 10.7; p < 0.001), anxiety (𝛽 = 0.58; t = 14.1; p < 0.001) and psychological inflexibility (𝛽 = 0.09; t = 5.07; p < 0.001) were predictors of insomnia. The results of the multinomial logistic regression demonstrate that, in comparison to the absence of insomnia, insomnia at all levels (mild, moderate and severe) was associated with sex, anxiety and depression. Psychological inflexibility was only associated with severe insomnia (odds ratio = 1.04). These findings are important from a public health perspective because behavioural strategies designed to treat insomnia with a focus on psychological flexibility are low-cost and may help improve sleep quality in adults with insomnia, which also influences mental health.

Desarrollo de categorías del modo de actuación creativo en estudiantes universitarios

Introducción: Es importante la relación entre el desarrollo de las categorías originalidad, flexibilidad, autonomía y motivación del modo de actuación creativo. El objetivo del artículo consistió en elaborar un sistema de indicaciones para el desarrollo de categorías del modo de actuación creativo en estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación mixta, donde el universo lo constituyeron estudiantes de la carrera de Pedagogía-Sicología de la Universidad de Sancti Spíritus "José Martí Pérez" en el curso 2021-2022 y se tomó una muestra aleatoria intencional de 24 educandos del tercer año. Resultados: El procesamiento estadístico de los instrumentos aplicados permitió ubicar al 75 % de la muestra entre un nivel medio y bajo en el desarrollo de categorías del modo de actuación creativo, por carencias en su expresión. Discusión: Desde fundamentos teóricos referenciados se analizó una propuesta de indicaciones que permiten la sistematización de contenidos de aprendizaje y facilitan el desarrollo de acciones autónomas y motivadoras para solucionar problemáticas en el contexto laboral. Conclusiones: La elaboración de indicaciones, desde la disciplina principal integradora y en estrecha relación con las categorías declaradas del modo de actuación creativo, facilitaron su desarrollo y demostraron pertinencia y factibilidad en el contexto de la práctica laboral.

Introduction: The relationship between the development of the categories of originality, flexibility, autonomy and motivation of the creative mode of action is important. The objective of the article was to develop a system of indications for the development of categories of the creative mode of action in university students. Methods: A mixed investigation was carried out, where the universe was made up of students of the Pedagogy-Psychology degree at the University of Sancti Spíritus "José Martí Pérez" in the 2021-2022 academic year and an intentional random sample of 24 students from the third year was taken. In the research, actions were designed to solve problems in work practice and a self-assessment scale about the development of the categories of the creative mode of action. Results: The statistical processing of the applied instruments allowed 75 % of the sample to be placed between a medium and low level in the development of categories of the creative mode of action, due to deficiencies in its expression. Discussion: From referenced theoretical foundations, a proposal of indications was analyzed that allow the systematization of learning content and facilitate the development of autonomous and motivating actions to solve problems in the work context. Conclusions: The development of indications, from the main integrative discipline and in close relationship with the declared categories of the creative mode of action, facilitated its development and demonstrated relevance and feasibility in the context of work practice.

Impact of warm-up methods on strength-speed for sprinters in athletics: a mini review.

In athletics, achieving peak performance during competitions is crucial. Warm-up strategies play a crucial role in optimizing the strength-speed performance of sprinters in athletics, especially tailored to the physiological demands of speed events. The need to balance flexibility, prevent injuries, and enhance power output makes the selection of an effective warm-up protocol essential. This narrative review examines different warm-up methods used by athletes and their effects on strength-speed in sprinters in athletics. The main findings indicate that Foam Rolling (FR), Isometric Exercises and Pre-Competitive Massages have no significant effects on sprint performance. Static stretching and prolonged Pre-Competitive Massages have negative impacts on strength and power. The Vibration Platform enhances step length, step rate and running velocity, jump height and total number of jumps performed in a 30-s period in non-experienced sprinters. Eccentric Exercise increases vertical force, Post-Activation Potentiation (PAP) demonstrates a reduction in 100-meter time and short-term improvement in vertical and horizontal jumps. Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) significantly improving jump height and flight time. Various warm-up methods have been identified, some focusing on flexibility, others potentially detrimental, and some enhancing strength and power. Implementing effective warm-ups, particularly those promoting strength and power, poses a challenge for coaches seeking reliable alternatives to boost performance.

Structured Tandem Repeats in Protein Interactions.

Tandem repeats (TRs) in protein sequences are consecutive, highly similar sequence motifs. Some types of TRs fold into structural units that pack together in ensembles, forming either an (open) elongated domain or a (closed) propeller, where the last unit of the ensemble packs against the first one. Here, we examine TR proteins (TRPs) to see how their sequence, structure, and evolutionary properties favor them for a function as mediators of protein interactions. Our observations suggest that TRPs bind other proteins using large, structured surfaces like globular domains; in particular, open-structured TR ensembles are favored by flexible termini and the possibility to tightly coil against their targets. While, intuitively, open ensembles of TRs seem prone to evolve due to their potential to accommodate insertions and deletions of units, these evolutionary events are unexpectedly rare, suggesting that they are advantageous for the emergence of the ancestral sequence but are early fixed. We hypothesize that their flexibility makes it easier for further proteins to adapt to interact with them, which would explain their large number of protein interactions. We provide insight into the properties of open TR ensembles, which make them scaffolds for alternative protein complexes to organize genes, RNA and proteins.

Mind over mood: exploring the executive function's role in downregulation.

Emotion regulation plays a key role in well adapted behaviour, however, factors influencing individual differences in ER are still under investigation. Across two studies we investigate the complex relationship between executive functions (EFs) and emotional downregulation through two complementary research designs. The focus lies on key components of EFs-working memory, inhibitory control, and switching-and their relationship with effective emotional regulation. Surprisingly, switching emerged as the sole significant predictor in two multiple linear regression models, challenging the conventional belief that all major EFs broadly contribute to emotional downregulation. The first study, involving 248 Ecuadorian adults between 18 and 60 years old, used experimental tasks to assess the association between EFs and emotional regulation, aligning with existing literature that posits a link between EFs and emotional control. The second study, involving 180 Ecuadorian adults between 18 and 43 years old, added depth by incorporating self-report measures, providing a broader, ecologically valid perspective. However, these measures did not significantly predict downregulation, highlighting a gap between self-perception and actual cognitive abilities. Additionally, demographic predictors varied between the two studies, urging future research to consider methodological design and task selection carefully. The study also raises questions about the validity of commonly used measures, emphasising the need for more nuanced tools to capture the complexity of EFs and emotional regulation. Our findings suggest a targeted research avenue focusing on EFs for both future research and clinical interventions. Attention is called to the methodological decisions that can influence the observed associations, and the need for broader demographic representation in future studies.

A Naturalistic Intervention to Promote Executive Functions in Primary School Children: A Pilot Study.

Executive functions are related to the control of cognition, emotion, and behavior. They are essential to lifelong outcomes, including school performance. Naturalistic interventions embedded in children's daily activities and environments have greater effects. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to develop a naturalistic program suitable for schools, based on Goal Management Training (GMT), and to analyze its effects on executive functions and behavior. The participants consisted of 35 students from 2nd to 5th grade with executive dysfunction complaints. They underwent neuropsychological assessments of working memory, inhibition, cognitive flexibility, and intellectual capacity. Teachers and parents answered questionnaires on executive functions and behavior. Students were randomly assigned to an active control group, who participated in sessions on citizenship, and an experimental group (EG), stimulated through the executive function program, both with 16 sessions conducted by psychologists. After the intervention, all participants were reevaluated. The two-way Wald-type statistic (WTS) revealed greater improvement in executive functions for the EG, including working memory and inhibition. Additionally, parents and teachers, blind to the experimental conditions, reported improvements in some measures of executive functions and behavior. The results are encouraging, but further studies should test the intervention when implemented with larger samples and by teachers.

Review of terrestrial temporarily conserved areas in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

The establishment of protected areas is a cornerstone of conservation, but permanent protection could be inefficient or even impossible in some situations. We synthesized the literature on temporarily conserved areas (TCAs) across Canada, the United States, and Mexico. We used a comprehensive search string to retrieve peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2021 from the Web of Science. We identified 27 relevant peer-reviewed articles that examined the potential benefits of TCAs in the study area, indicating TCA is a relatively understudied area of research in the peer-reviewed literature. The TCA studies were highly clustered; 77% of studies focused on protecting a single life stage of migratory species and 61% of studies related to temporary conservation of breeding or staging habitats for migratory birds. Ninety-three percent of studies focused on preventing human-driven threats, mainly on public lands of coastal areas, the Great Plains, and the Mississippi Valley in the central United States. Short-term and experimental studies were the dominant study types. TCAs have the potential to complement permanently protected areas and provide protection when permanent protection is difficult. Some included studies examined their conservation value, but the ecological, social, and economic outcomes of TCAs are unclear. More TCA research is needed to determine the role they could play in conservation worldwide. Embracing the concept of TCAs as conservation tool could lead to more comprehensive and consistent reporting of the outcomes of temporary area-based conservation measures. However, a global review and analysis of effectiveness of TCAs will be required if they are to play a formal role in meeting international targets for biodiversity conservation.

Revisión de áreas terrestres conservadas temporalmente en Canadá, Estados Unidos y México Resumen La creación de áreas protegidas es una piedra angular de la conservación, aunque en algunos casos la protección permanente podría ser ineficiente o incluso imposible. Condensamos la literatura sobre las áreas de conservación temporal (ACT) en Canadá, Estados Unidos y México. Usamos una cadena completa de búsqueda para obtener artículos revisados por pares publicados del 2000 al 2021 en Web of Science. Identificamos 27 artículos relevantes que analizaban el potencial de las ACT en el área de estudio, lo que indica que las ACT es un área poco estudiada en la literatura revisada por pares. Los estudios sobre ACT estaban muy agrupados: el 77% se enfocaban en la protección de un solo estadio de vida de las especies migratorias y el 61% se relacionaban con la conservación temporal de los hábitats de reproducción o de descanso de las aves migratorias. El 93% de los estudios se enfocó en la prevención de amenazas causadas por humanos, principalmente en los terrenos públicos de las áreas costeras, las Grandes Llanuras y el valle del Mississippi en el centro de los Estados Unidos. Los estudios experimentales y a corto plazo fueron el tipo de estudio dominante. Las áreas de conservación temporal tienen el potencial para complementar las áreas de protección permanente y proporcionar protección cuando es complicado proporcionarla permanentemente. Algunos de los estudios incluidos analizaron el valor para la conservación de las ACT, pero aún no están claros sus resultados ecológicos, sociales y económicos. Se necesita más investigación sobre las ACT para determinar el papel que podrían tener en la conservación mundial. Si se acepta el concepto de ACT como una herramienta de conservación, se podrían reportar los resultados de las medidas de conservación basadas en las ACT de forma más completa y consistente. Sin embargo, se requerirá una revisión y análisis global de la eficiencia de las ACT si se espera que tengan un papel formal en el cumplimiento de los objetivos internacionales de la conservación de la biodiversidad.

Relation between flexibility and intrinsically disorder regions in thermosensitive TRP channels reveal allosteric effects.

How a protein propagates the conformational changes throughout its structure remains largely unknown. In thermosensitive TRP channels, this allosteric communication is triggered by ligand interaction or in response to temperature changes. Because dynamic allostery suggests a dynamic role of disordered regions, in this work we set out to thoroughly evaluate these regions in six thermosensitive TRP channels. Thus, by contrasting the intrinsic flexibility of the transmembrane region as a function of the degree of disorder in those proteins, we discovered several residues that do not show a direct correlation in both parameters. This kind of structural discrepancy revealed residues that are either reported to be dynamic, functionally relevant or are involved in signal propagation and probably part of allosteric networks. These discrepant, potentially dynamic regions are not exclusive of TRP channels, as this same correlation was found in the Kv Shaker channel.

Relief and mobile veterinary careers may offer a path towards improved quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: Explore relief and mobile veterinarians' views and experiences related to their current job. In addition, examine reasons why these veterinarians opted to pursue careers in relief and mobile practice. SAMPLE: Veterinary members of the Veterinary Information Network working as relief or mobile veterinarians. METHODS: An electronic survey distributed via the Veterinary Information Network data collection portal from May 11, 2023, through May 30, 2023. RESULTS: A total of 444 responses were collected (125 veterinarians in mobile practice and 240 relief veterinarians). Factors most commonly reported to have a strong effect on mobile or relief veterinarians' decision to leave their previous job included administration, hospital culture, leadership, feeling their voice was heard, and workplace schedule factors. The majority of mobile and relief practitioners reported feeling satisfied with their work-life balance (mobile, 78%; relief, 91%) as well as availability for children (mobile, 84%; relief, 84%) and other family members (mobile, 85%; relief, 87%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The majority of mobile and relief practitioners who participated in this survey reported feeling satisfied or very satisfied with managing their work and life, in their ability to be present and available for their children, and having opportunity to support and care for elderly family members and those with medical needs. As the field of veterinary medicine becomes increasingly feminized, schedule flexibility and work-life balance will likely increase in importance, making careers in nonpractice settings more desirable. Traditional brick-and-mortar clinics should note that dissatisfaction with administration and office/hospital culture might drive their employees to pursue other career avenues such as relief or mobile practice.

Capacidad predictiva de la flexibilidad cognitiva y la planificación en las competencias matemáticas tempranas

Se ha demostrado que las competencias matemáticas tempranas ejercen un rol importante en el aprendizaje de esta disciplina y que tanto la flexibilidad cognitiva como la planificación favorecen este proceso. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las investigaciones han relacionado las funciones ejecutivas con los resultados matemáticos generales, sin tomar en cuenta que esta disciplina incluye diversos componentes que varían en su complejidad cognitiva. Por lo tanto, el objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar la capacidad predictiva de la flexibilidad cognitiva y la planificación en las competencias matemáticas lógico-relacionales y numéricas de 106 niños de educación inicial de escuelas chilenas, quienes fueron evaluados con dos tareas ejecutivas y un test de competencias matemáticas tempranas. Para el análisis de datos se realizaron correlaciones y modelos de regresión lineal múltiple. Los resultados mostraron que la flexibilidad cognitiva fue un predictor significativo de las competencias matemáticas tanto lógico-relacionales como numéricas, mientras que la planificación lo fue solo de las numéricas. Estos resultados confirman la importancia de la flexibilidad cognitiva y la planificación en el desarrollo de las competencias matemáticas tempranas, lo que podría propiciar intervenciones específicas sobre estas funciones ejecutivas y así favorecer el aprendizaje de las matemáticas en la educación inicial.

Foi demonstrado que as competências matemáticas precoces desempenham um papel importante na aprendizagem dessa disciplina e que tanto a flexibilidade cognitiva como o planejamento favorecem esse processo. No entanto, a maioria das investigações relacionou as funções executivas com os resultados matemáticos gerais, sem ter em conta que esta disciplina inclui diversos componentes que variam na sua complexidade cognitiva. Por conseguinte, o objetivo desta investigação foi avaliar a capacidade preditiva da flexibilidade cognitiva e do planejamento nas competências matemáticas lógico-relacionais e numéricas de 106 crianças de escolas chilenas de educação infantil, que foram avaliadas com duas tarefas executivas e um teste de competências matemáticas precoces. Foram utilizados correlações e modelos de regressão linear múltipla para a análise de dados. Os resultados mostraram que a flexibilidade cognitiva foi um preditor significativo tanto das competências matemáticas lógico-relacionais como numéricas, enquanto o planejamento foi preditor significativo apenas das competências matemáticas numéricas. Estes resultados confirmam a importância da flexibilidade cognitiva e do planejamento no desenvolvimento de competências matemáticas precoces, o que poderia conduzir a intervenções específicas sobre essas funções executivas, favorecendo assim a aprendizagem da matemática na educação infantil.

It has been shown that early mathematical competencies play an important role in the learning of this discipline and that both cognitive flexibility and planning favor this process. However, most research has related executive functions to general mathematical outcomes, without taking into account that this discipline includes several components that vary in their cognitive complexity. Therefore, the aim of this research was to evaluate the predictive capacity of cognitive flexibility and planning in the logical-relational and numerical mathematical competencies of 106 children in early childhood education in Chilean schools, who were evaluated with two executive tasks and a test of early mathematical competencies. Correlations and multiple linear regression models were used for data analysis. The results showed that cognitive flexibility was a significant predictor of both logical-relational and numerical mathematical competencies, while planning was only a significant predictor of numerical competencies. These results confirm the importance of cognitive flexibility and planning in the development of early mathematical competencies, which could lead to specific interventions on these executive functions and thus favor the learning of mathematics in early education.

Funções neuropsicológicas de escolares na reabertura das escolas brasileiras na pandemia da Covid-19 / The neuropsychological functions of schoolchildren after the reopening of brazilian schools during the Covid-19 pandemic

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo desse estudo foi analisar as funções neuropsicológicas de estudantes de uma escola pública do Distrito Federal (Brasil), matriculadas 1º e 2º ano de Ensino Fundamental na reabertura das escolas públicas na pandemia da COVID-19 e a influência dos fatores familiares e contextuais sobre o desempenho dessas habilidades. Métodos Participaram 117 estudantes, bem como seus responsáveis. As crianças foram avaliadas presencialmente por meio do Instrumento de Avaliação Neuropsicológica Breve Infantil (NEUPSILIN-Inf). Os pais/responsáveis responderam remotamente ao Inventário de Recursos do Ambiente Familiar e as questões para classificação socioeconômica e de escolaridade materna. Resultado Os dados apontam alta prevalência de crianças em fase de alfabetização que apresentam alerta ou déficit das funções de orientação, memória, linguagem, habilidades visuoespaciais, habilidades aritméticas e fluência verbal. Ainda, as atividades previsíveis que sinalizam algum grau de estabilidade na vida familiar são preditoras do desempenho das crianças na habilidade de orientação e os recursos que promovem processos proximais refletem significativamente no desempenho em linguagem. Os resultados sugerem que crianças inseridas em família com estimativas da renda domiciliar abaixo de um salário mínimo apresentam piores desempenhos do controle inibitório. Conclusão Foram apresentados e discutidos os impactos das alterações das habilidades neuropsicológicas para o aprendizado das crianças, destacando a necessidade de intervenções imediatas e direcionadas para essas funções. Foram considerados os fatores contextuais que apresentaram influência sobre o desempenho das habilidades neuropsicológicas.

ABSTRACT Purpose The objective of this study was analyzed the neuropsychological functions of students from a public school in Brazil, enrolled in the 1st and 2nd year of Elementary School at the time of the reopening of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic and to access the influence of family and contextual information on the performance of these skills. Methods 117 students participated in the study, as well as their parents or guardians. The children were evaluated in person using the Brief Child Neuropsychological Assessment Instrument (NEUPSILIN-Inf). The parents/guardians answered remotely the Inventory of Resources of the Family Environment and questions about socioeconomic classification and maternal education. Results The data showed a high prevalence of children who had problems or deficits in the functions of orientation, memory, language, visuospatial skills, arithmetic skills and verbal fluency. Furthermore, predictable activities that signal some degree of stability in family life are predictors of children's performance in orientation skills and resources that promote proximal processes significantly reflect on language performance. The results suggest that children included in families with a household income below one Brazilian minimum monthly salary presented poorer inhibitory control performances. Conclusion The impact of changes in neuropsychological skills in children's learning were presented and discussed, highlighting the need for immediate and targeted intervention of these functions. Contextual factors that influenced the performance of neuropsychological skills were also considered.

Exploring Flexibility and Folding Patterns Throughout Time in Voltage Sensors.

The voltage-sensing domain (VSD) is a module capable of responding to changes in the membrane potential through conformational changes and facilitating electromechanical coupling to open a pore gate, activate proton permeation pathways, or promote enzymatic activity in some membrane-anchored phosphatases. To carry out these functions, this module acts cooperatively through conformational changes. The VSD is formed by four transmembrane segments (S1-S4) but the S4 segment is critical since it carries positively charged residues, mainly Arg or Lys, which require an aqueous environment for its proper function. The discovery of this module in voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs), proton channels (Hv1), and voltage sensor-containing phosphatases (VSPs) has expanded our understanding of the principle of modularity in the voltage-sensing mechanism of these proteins. Here, by sequence comparison and the evaluation of the relationship between sequence composition, intrinsic flexibility, and structural analysis in 14 selected representatives of these three major protein groups, we report five interesting differences in the folding patterns of the VSD both in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Our main findings indicate that this module is highly conserved throughout the evolutionary scale, however: (1) segments S1 to S3 in eukaryotes are significantly more hydrophobic than those present in prokaryotes; (2) the S4 segment has retained its hydrophilic character; (3) in eukaryotes the extramembranous linkers are significantly larger and more flexible in comparison with those present in prokaryotes; (4) the sensors present in the kHv1 proton channel and the ciVSP phosphatase, both of eukaryotic origin, exhibit relationships of flexibility and folding patterns very close to the typical ones found in prokaryotic voltage sensors; and (5) archaeal channels KvAP and MVP have flexibility profiles which are clearly contrasting in the S3-S4 region, which could explain their divergent activation mechanisms. Finally, to elucidate the obscure origins of this module, we show further evidence for a possible connection between voltage sensors and TolQ proteins.

Nível de atividade física, capacidade funcional e flexibilidade de soldados ingressantes no Exército brasileiro / Level of physical activity, functional capacity and flexibility of soldiers entering the Brazilian Army

Objetivou avaliar o nível de atividade física, capacidade funcional (CF) e a flexibilidade de adultos jovens antes e após dez meses de ingresso em um programa de exercícios físicos no Exército brasileiro. Trata-se de uma pesquisa de coorte prospectivo. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado pelo Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), a CF, pelo Teste de Cooper, e a flexibilidade, pelo Banco de Wells. Amostra (n = 198; 18±0,27 anos) com índice de massa corporal (IMC) de 23,23±3,84 kg/m2. Após dez meses de admissão no Exército, constatou-se redução na prevalência de sedentarismo (33  28%) e na CF (2.982±243,61  3.117±192,87 m), sem alteração da flexibilidade (27,31±7,39  27,52±7,40 cm). Houve grande tamanho de efeito no IMC, na relação cintura quadril (RCQ) e na flexibilidade. Conclui-se que a inserção em um programa de exercícios físicos no Exército brasileiro aumentou a CF e reduziu a RCQ dos jovens.

This study aimed to evaluate the level of physical activity, functional capacity (FC), and flexibility of young adults before and ten months after joining a physical exercise program in the Brazilian Army. This was a prospective cohort study. The level of physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), FC using the Cooper Test, and flexibility using the Wells bench. Sample (n = 198; 18±0.27 years) with a body mass index (BMI) of 23.23±3.84 kg/m2. After ten months of admission to the Brazilian Army, there was a reduction in the prevalence of sedentary lifestyle (33  28%) and FC (2,982±243.61  3,117±192.87 m), without change in flexibility (27.31±7.39  27.52±7.40 cm). There was a large effect size on BMI, waist-hip ratio (WHR), and flexibility. In short, inclusion in a physical exercise program in the Brazilian Army increased FC and reduced the WHR of young recruits.